THE WORD OF WISDOM

MEMORY VERSE: For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrew 8-10

What is wisdom? Wisdom is the application of knowledge. Just as there are four kinds of knowledge, also there are four kinds of wisdom. Firstly, there is the “natural human wisdom” which is simply naturally applied knowledge. This kind of wisdom is obviously on the increase, since knowledge is so much on the increase. Of course, compared to God’s wisdom, man’s wisdom is foolishness. The wisdom of the natural man will one day pass away. 1 Corinthians 1:19 says, “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Secondly, there is the “fallen world’s supernatural wisdom.” The enemy in Genesis 3 used the fallen world’s supernatural wisdom and knowledge to tempt the first man and woman to disobey God's commandments. Genesis 3:6 says, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and ‘a tree to be desired to make one wise’, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” This kind of wisdom was, and continues to be, forbidden by God. Man already had natural wisdom, which was good, but now he opened himself up to supernatural evil knowledge, and the application of it, evil wisdom, which until then existed only among the fallen angels. Astrology is an example of counterfeit wisdom today.

Thirdly, there is the true intellectual wisdom. The Book of Proverbs and King Solomon’s wisdom are good examples of this. We are told to get this kind of wisdom (Proverbs 4:7). This wisdom comes by respecting the Lord and the Word of God. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” This wisdom also comes by studying God’s word which can be understood only as it is revealed by the Holy Spirit. In other to do this, you must first receive Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). The fourth kind of wisdom is the supernatural gift of the “word of wisdom”. It is the sudden and miraculous giving of wisdom to meet a particular situation, or answer a particular question, or utilize a particular piece of knowledge, natural or supernatural. This kind of wisdom is not a human ability, but the sheer gift of God. An example of the “word of wisdom” is found in Genesis 41. Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream was not natural wisdom or wisdom through study and preparation;he was given an immediate supernatural answer. Joseph was on the spot. He had been let out of prison just long enough to be given a chance to interpret this dream. However, the wise counsel – the need of appointing a wise leader and officers, and how to store the needed food for the time of famine- was true intellectual wisdom that God had given Joseph, and which he used continually. Another example of the “word of wisdom” is found in Matthew 22:15-22 where the Pharisees tried to entangle Jesus in His words by asking if men should pay tributes to Caesar or not. Jesus answered with a word of wisdom: "Render therefore unto Caesar which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” There are other examples in the scriptures. For instance, Apostle Paul was certainly not trained in seamanship, yet when he was involved in a shipwreck, he so took command of the situation that even though he was a prisoner being taken to Rome, the Roman officer listen to him with respect ( Acts 27:21-35).

PRAYER POINT: Father, please fill me with Your wisdom

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world